Rozaini Mohd Rosli's Blog

Kes Anwar Ibrahim hari ini 14 Okt 2010

October 14, 2010

Sodomy II trial resumes, more fireworks expected

Hafiz Yatim
Oct 14, 10
7:49am

Malaysiakini.com

The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial resumes today with expected fireworks not only from the cross-examination of a doctor who examined complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, but also following the recent developments surrounding another former aide of the opposition leader, Rahimi Osman.

This follows Rahimi’s startling revelation last week that he was forced by defence lawyers to sign two statutory declarations implicating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, in the sodomy allegation.

Several PKR leaders have dismissed Rahimi’s revelation as part of a smear campaign ahead of two upcoming by-elections – Galas in Kelantan and Batu Sapi in Sabah.

Anwar’s lead counsel Karpal Singh had indicated he would bring up the Rahimi issue in today’s hearing in yet another attempt to get the witness list, which had been withheld by the prosecution.

Lawyer Sankara Nair also said in an email yesterday the possibility of initiating contempt proceedings against Rahimi.

If that is the case, then the long-awaited continuation of the trial may not take place as the contempt proceeding takes precedence.

The trial had also attracted comments from British entrepreneur Richard Branson, who had last month said the trial was damaging Malaysia’s reputation and spooking foreign investors.

Anwar wants sodomy charge quashed

In addition, Anwar is still trying to quash the sodomy charge following allegations that Saiful had an affair with one of the prosecutors in the trial, Farah Azlina Latif.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Md Diah had earlier dismissed the application to strike out the charge on Aug 16.

The Court of Appeal had on Sept 20, upheld the decision and Karpal said they would appeal the decision in the Federal Court, the country’s highest court.

There is still one pending appeal at the apex court – Anwar’s application to get Saiful’s witness statement to the police following contrasting testimony by the star witness that the opposition leader’s sexual act was non-consensual.

The PKR supremo was charged with consensual carnal intercourse. That decision will be delivered on Monday.

In court today, Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctor Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim is scheduled to be cross-examined by the defence.

Mohd Razali, who is the second witness in the trial, had told the court that traces of semen in four out of 10 cotton swabs used in swiping Saiful’s rectum did indeed show signs of penile penetration.